NASA Gives Boeing's Starliner Program Second Chance Amid Troubled Past
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has given Boeing's Starliner program a second chance after its troubled 2024 mishap. The agency believes reviving the capsule is the fastest way to preserve reliable crewed access to low Earth orbit.
Isaacman stated that, given their extensive history with Starliner and the taxpayer investment already made, they believe it represents the fastest path to preserving reliable crewed access to LEO.
The NASA chief emphasized that reviving Starliner is crucial for maintaining a second U.S. crew-transport option as SpaceX eventually shifts its focus from Dragon to Starship.
According to Isaacman, the uncrewed flight of Starliner-1 could take place by early 2027, while the first post-mishap crewed flight, Starliner-2, is targeted for 2028. NASA also plans up to five crewed missions using the capsule.